America Takes on Germany: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Vs. BMW M4

Wait just a moment here. Comparisons are now being made between the high-performance version of a modern American muscle car and a premium German high-performing coupe? Yes, that’s exactly what’s happening because when you examine the specs of the new Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and the BMW M4, you’ll notice a few similarities. For starters, both are RWD engineered for the enthusiast driver. They're also decked out with plenty of exterior aero bits.

Sure, the Shelby GT350 doesn’t quite have the luxuriously-appointed interior of the M4, but that alone doesn’t make it an unworthy competitor. While the M4 is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six rated at 430 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque, the GT350 has a naturally-aspirated (hell yeah!) high-revving flat-plane crankshaft 5.2-liter V8 that develops over 500 hp and 400 lb-ft. Power is sent to the rear wheels in both cars via a six-speed manual (or an optional dual-clutch for the M4). Design wise, both look great and it all comes down to personal preference. So does the M4 have a new competitor to deal with or is the Shelby GT350 nothing more than a track toy muscle car (now with an independent rear suspension)? Let the debate begin.